New to Flash - simple problem

[doodah]

I apologise for what probably seems a very simple question. I have just started using Flash and can't figure out how to do something with motion tweens. I have a graphic (a care pathway starting from the top with various aspects of the pathway going down) which I would like to do in Flash. The best idea seems to be to have the first component come in from the top and stay followed by the second component and so forth.

I know how to do the tweens but I can't figure out how to do it with multiple layers. How do I make the first part stay in place for the additional parts to follow? All I can get it to do is move down, disappear and the next part move down.

So basically what I want is for the first part to fly from top, stay, part 2 fly from top, both remain, part 3 flay from top, all remain, part 4 fly from top, all remain and part 5 fly from bottom and all to remain for a couple of seconds and the whole process repeat.

I get how to do them individually but can't quite figure how to put it all together - tried a few guides and tutorials. Thanks

 

[gord]

Each moving graphic needs to be on its own layer. Then your keyframes should define when they come into view and as long as the last keyframe for the graphic once its tween is finished spans the rest of the movie it should stay around in that same spot.

 

[doodah]

How do you span the last keyframe across the rest of the movie though? I have been fiddling with various settings on the end of the first one but all I seem to do is make the whole process of the image moving down take longer.

Here is what I do:

Import image, convert to symbol and move above the canvass

Right click at the start of the time line and click create motion tween and then slightly lengthen the amount of frames it should take

Move the image down to where it should go to create the path for the tween and that's the first part done

This is where I get stuck

Create new layer, import second image and convert to symbol

Then how do I do what you mention to make the first image stay and simply not lengthen the time it takes to move down?

Do you have to specifically select the last frame and do something with it? I can't seem to do that....

 

[gord]

You don't need a new layer for the same image. Extending the keyframe was the wrong terminology too.

The next frame after your final position keyframe will contain the static graphic in its final location. Then that one is extended as it doesn't move and it won't affect the tween motion.

On your diagram, take your graphic from layer 1, frame 51 and paste it to layer 1 frame 52. It's not a part of the tween but is the final location of the tween. The user never sees the switch and it can be extended for as long as you want.

 

[doodah]

I don't think it's the same image, just that the other image is out of view. Brilliant - I think that's it, thanks Gord - much appreciated

I will add Flash to the list of things I need to get good at (along with Java and PS ).

EDIT - Done it, thanks again.